Spoiler Warning: Due to the nature of this list topic, major story spoilers for the Demon Slayer anime and manga will be discussed in each entry.
Summary
Demon Slayeris no stranger to an iconic cast of vicious villains that want to do nothing more than the destruction of humanity to satisfy their endless bloodlust. They follow the instructions of Lord Muzan, hunting down problem figures and engaging them in breathtaking battles.
This leads them to the path of Tanjiro and the other heroes of the series, who put everything on the line to defeat these foes across several major arcs inDemon Slayer. Some of these villains leave a lasting impression as the heroes somehow manage to come out victorious after a hellacious battle.
8Asakusa Arc
Dealing With A Demon Who Throws Temari Balls While Another Changes Momentum With Invisible Arrows Is Tricky
After being treated to a demon of the week structure for a while, fans finally saw some major movement in the story with the Asakuza arc. Not only were more friendly demons revealed, but Muzan personally sends two powerful demons to take out Tanjiro.
Susamaru’s use of temari balls is pretty straightforward, but it’s Yahaba’s ability to alter one’s trajectory with invisible arrows that makes for an interesting fight. This is when Tanjiro shows the benefits of his Water Breathing, moving gracefully and beheading both demons with a valuable assist from Nezuko.
7Tsuzumi Mansion Arc
Fighting The Former Lower Rank Six Demon Moon Is No Joke
With the introduction of two new demon slayers who would accompany Tanjiro, things got more tense than ever inthe Tsuzumi Mansion arc. The Horned and Tongue Demons served as a showcase of Inosuke and Zenitsu’s powers, but it was Tanjiro who stood out in the battle against Kyogai.
The former Lower Rank Six Moon is no joke and pushes Tanjiro to his very limit, using the drums on his body to either rotate the room or launch powerful attacks. This makes for a unique battle where Tanjiro has to use his graceful Water Breathing movement and adjust to the room’s rotations, finally closing the distance on Kyogai and landing the finishing blow.
6Mount Natagumo Arc
Rui And His “Family” Make For A Tough Challenge
Rui is one of the most disturbing villains in the series. After his mother and father shunned him following his demonic transformation, he killed them and spent the rest of his years as a demon, forcing others to serve as his “family” instead.
Some demons, like the “daughter,” were genuinely forced into this predicament and given a peaceful death by Tanjiro, while others, like the father and brother, gave both Inosuke and Zenitsu a run for their money. Rui himself proves to be a powerful foe,pushing Tanjiro to new heightsand letting him unlock Sun Breathing for the first time.
5Entertainment District Arc
The Upper Rank Six Demon Moon Duo Is No Joke
After mourning Rengoku’s loss, the heroes accompany another Hashira to investigate some disturbancesin the Entertainment District. This leads to a confrontation against the Upper Rank Six, Daki, who reveals that her brother also shares the same rank and appears when he needs to save his sister.
It’s revealed later on that Gyutaro’s ugliness caused him to serve as a silent protector to Daki, only for her sister to be burned by a monstrous client. He requests the aid of Lord Muzan to save her, with the two meeting their end after an intense battle that caused the Sound Hashira to retire after suffering grievous injuries.
4Swordsmith Village Arc
Two Upper Rank Demon Moons Launch An Assault On The Heart Of The Demon Slayer Corps' Operations
Gyokko is a sadist who loves to kill people and place them in urns, making him the perfect candidate to become a demon. However, his powers weren’t as unique as Hantengu’s, who was a horrible human with multiple personalities that manifested physically after his demonic transformation.
Muichiro was close to being annihilated by Gyokko, only toawaken the demon slayer markin the nick of time and behead this foe. Meanwhile, the other combatants teamed up to take on Hantengu’s many forms, with Tanjiro successfully giving chase and ending the monster’s life, making him pay for all he did.
3Mugen Train Arc
Enmu Is A Threat That Could Be Dealt With, But The Same Can’t Be Said For Akaza
Enmu is the only Lower Rank One Demon who is deeply loyal to Muzan and willing to take on the upstart demon slayers and a Hashira. His plan is devious but ultimately fails, with this subservient demon breathing its last after a unique battle.
However, all the celebrations are halted in their tracks with the arrival of Akaza, the Upper Rank Three Demon, who wastes no time in showing off his strength and taking out Rengoku. He’s called a coward by Tanjiro, setting up a grudge match inthe Infinity Castle arcthat will be a joy to witness.
2Sunrise Countdown Arc
The Main Villain’s Presence Alone Is Enough To Elevate This Arc To New Heights
With Muzan’s Demon Moons finally being taken out, the Demon King fended off the rest of the demon slayers. This demon’s amazing presence made him the perfect final villain who had another ace up his sleeve when he was on the verge of dying.
Before taking his final breath, he transferred the rest of his blood into Tanjiro and turned him into a ferocious demon. It was a surprising moment that forced the rest of the demon slayers to band together in one final battle against their comrade, eventually managing to help him revert to his human form.
1Infinity Castle Arc
The Demon Slayer Corps Goes Toe-to-Toe Against The Strongest Upper Rank Demon Moons
Thestrongest Upper Rank Demon MoonsinDemon Slayerget their chance to shine in the Infinity Castle arc. These foes are no pushovers and it helps that every demon is humanized to an extent, so that fans find their presence in the arc to be more riveting.
Kaigaku finally makes an appearance outside of flashbacks as a demon who caused Jigoro’s demise, making him the perfect opponent for Zenitsu. Doma’s heinous past with the Kocho sisters is revealed as Shinobu, Kanao, and Inosuke team up to take on this foe. Akaza is also humanized to an extent during a grudge match against Tanjiro and Giyu. Kokushibo’s relations with his brother, the first Sun Breathing user, are explored, turning him into a compelling villain and one of the highlights of the arc, barring Muzan himself.
